Long before the Great Unwashed got it into their tiny minds to start smashing up city centres in protests about ‘globalisation’, there was a healthy trade in cultural memes going on between Britain and the USA.
Jazz music made the transatlantic crossing some time in the 1920’s I believe, and took off so successfully in Britain that we began sending our own band-leaders, like Ray Noble, over to the States. The process was enhanced during World War II when US soldiers romanced British ‘dames’ to the tunes of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.
Post-war, America gave us Elvis and, a few years later, we launched a British invasion of the USA spearheaded by the Beatles.
But it wasn’t just a trade in popular music. Thanks to that engine of global cultural hegemony, Hollywood, American speech idioms also found their way into British culture. Whilst some British pundits sneered contemptuously at all these ‘ghastly Americanisms’, they were unable to stop Brits picking up terms like ‘ballpark figure’ or ‘okay, I’m outta here’.
The stalwarts who vainly attempted to arrest this process were misguided. Since language is one of the few aspects of life that is not controlled by the government, it is a free market of terms and idioms and many Brits casually adopted American expressions that they found to be more expressive and colourful than their own and seamlessly weaved them into their everyday conversations. That’s how choice works and I’m all for it.
But, alongside (or possibly, underneath) this healthy cultural cross-fertilisation is an equally lively, but rather less celebrated, trade in obscenities. I remember clearly back in about 1975 when an American boy at my school used the term ‘motherf*cker’. We were so shocked. It was quite the rudest thing we’d ever heard. But, since then, it has duly taken it’s place in the British lexicon of pre-fight insults.
Of course, it is encumbent on us Brits to return the favour by bestowing upon our American cousins an etymological treasure of our own. I am delighted to be able to say that it appears that we have done so.
On my journey’s around blogland, I came across Rachel Lucas, a ‘gun-totin’ anti-idiot from Texas (and you can’t get more American than that, surely) who has a category on her blog called ‘Liberals and other Wankers’.
Seeing it made me grin from ear to ear because she uses the term with such casual aplomb and without a word of explanation and that means that Rachel is confident that her American readers will recognise and understand the word ‘wanker’.
Now, ‘wanker’ is a pure, home-grown British slang the American equivalent of which is ‘jerk-off’. But, let’s face it, ‘wanker’ is pithier, punchier and altogether more abusive. Calling somebody a ‘jerk-off’ is merely naughty, but calling them a ‘wanker’ is downright rude and is, therefore, an infintely preferable term when your intention is to be downright rude. Rachel Lucas clearly intends to be downright rude to her left-wing compatriots.
I believe this is a recent development and I would hazard that the British end of the blogosphere has played a part in this successful export drive. In any event, we Brits have bestowed upon our US cousins a valuable tool in the armoury of bellicose confrontation, and at a time when they need it most. We have responded to their market need as they have often responded to ours.
Whilst it won’t appear on any balance sheets, the term ‘wanker’ has now taken its place on Unofficial Honour Role of transatlantic trade history. Hurrah!
I’ve had the impression that “wanker” is considered less strong (ie rude) in the US than it is in the UK. For instance, Spike says it on Buffy the Vampire Slayer where the only other rude actual word I can recall is “bloody”. Is it possibly considered a quaint Anglicism, like “shagging” (see Austin Powers), rather than Proper American Cursing (ie F words)?
Hate to tell you, but wanker is not a recent export. I’ve been using the term myself for around 10 years, although I cannot attest to where I picked it up.
I also live smack dab in the midwest, which is usually 5-10 years behind the curve in trendy pop culture in the US.
John: For many years I used to live in the USA, in New York, New Jersey and Virginia at various times, and I never heard the word ‘wanker’ used and when I used it myself, I was greeted for the most part by puzzled stares.
Since language is one of the few aspects of life that is not controlled by the government, it is a free market of terms and idioms
Well David, that is only the case in the Anglosphere… in the Francophone world that is far from being true as using English can sometimes land you in court.
Perry
You are quite correct, sir, and my observation should be read as qualified. I do believe that the French have a ‘Ministry of Proper French’ (or something) that will kick up the most almighty stink should you fail to employ ‘officially sanctioned’ French.
What a bunch of wankeurs.
Tom Tomorrow was using the term in his cartoons back in the early nineties. Though our reasons may not be the same, I certainly agree with the sentiment (that G. H. W. Bush and Clinton are wankers for those of you too lazy to read the cartoon).
Is wanker really that strong in Britain? If it’s the rough equivalent of “Jerk-off,” then it’s not really that strong. In the midwestern U.S., the list goes something like this (in order of increasing severity):
moron
imbecile
loser
jerk-off
wanker
fucking loser
fucking jerk-off
Well, “wanker” is a term used frequently in another British export — the Hash House Harriers. That’s where I hear it alot. As for its strength, well, we are damned politically and other ways incorrect. What do you want for a bunch of crazies who mix running and drinking?
I’ve never heard a human being utter the term ‘wanker’ here in South Carolina (and ‘jerk-off’ is totally passe’ as well.) I hope it takes off; it’s got a good sound to it.
You know, I wondered if anybody even noticed that category title, “Liberals and other Wankers” on my blog. How cool that you did!
“Wanker” doesn’t have the harshness here that it does in Britain. For instance, I could say “wanker” in moderately polite company and I don’t think anyone would be terribly offended. They would surely know it was a very firm insult, but they wouldn’t be scandalized. However, if I said “jerk-off”, they’d think I was being tacky because that is clearly a reference to masturbation.
And you’re right, “wanker” is definitely rude and definitely makes a point. It is indeed pithy and punchy, and to me, infinitely dismissive. That’s what I like about it – it’s so damn dismissive. It’s what I would call somebody whom I deeply disdain but who isn’t worth calling a “motherf*cker.” Kind of like “jackass,” but better and more original (original in America, of course).
I only started using the word recently, but I learned it back in the late 80s when MTV was showing “The Young Ones” constantly. I’ve also taken to telling people to “sod off”, which I understand to be a British term, as well. Same with “bugger off”. The British just have a way with those insults that I love.
“Wanker” was adopted with delight by my gang c. 1980, probably via one of our gang members, a Yorkshireman studying in the U.S.
If you ever visit the Portland, Oregon area you can hoist a few at Wanker’s Corner Saloon. It has moved from its original location at Wanker’s Corner (the old name of the intersection of Borland and Stafford), but has trademarked and retained its splendid name.
While we’re on the subject, please explain why the English consider the term “bloody” to be so awful. It is used in the U.S. sometimes, but doesn’t carry the same weight as on your island.
My first exposure to “wank” was a comedian on HBO; I was in junior high, I think, so that puts it around 1987-89. (Interestingly, he used the difference in slang as a commentary on how violent we Americans are; “jerk off” sounds much more vicious than “wank”.) I’ve used “wanker” since the early 90’s, and the friend from whom I picked up its common usage was a fan of “The Young Ones”.
I’ve also adopted “bugger off”, mostly because I like the sound of “bugger”.
The most interesting difference I know of in American and British cursing is “cunt”, which is much much more taboo than “fuck” in the US, but seems to be an acceptable (if harsh) insult in the UK.
You’ll hear British insults in the States from time to time, but mainly from Anglophiles. Most Americans recognize ‘bloody’, ‘wanker’, and ‘bugger’ as British, but they don’t know what they mean (especially bugger).
I first heard “wanker”, in America, in the early 80’s, when there was considerable cross-pollination of rock-tour crews on each side of The Pond. I have no hard data, but my everlasting impression is that Americans took more away from British lexicon than vice-versa.
Myself, I’ve always enoyed the summary contempt of a short, sharp, “Piss off!”
Keith: please explain why the English consider the term “bloody” to be so awful.
It is bacause the term ‘bloody’, when used as an exclaimation, has nothing whatsoever to do with blood. Just as the (now rare) cockney working class expression of surprise ‘Cor Blimey!’ was a corruption of the oath ‘God Blind Me!’, the exclaimation ‘Bloody’ is a corruption of the oath ‘By Our Lady!’… i.e. it is a religious oath and thus a rather ‘serious’ remark originally.
So now you know!
Brian posted a comment about an Onion article in the “slogan of the day” post above (presumably a mistake, unless he was trying to imply that everyone who commented on same was a wanker). I think the reason the Onion used wanker in reference to a punk band was that some (presumably bastardized) British slang was introduced into punk culture in the 1980’s by British punk bands.
I love ‘wanker’ and ‘bloody,’ but I admit I never cottoned onto ‘bugger.’
To Britain. Thanks for the word “wanker.” I think it’s really funny.
I came to know the term wanker through blogs where it is closely associated with The Independent.
*yawn*
I think “wanker” is fairly played-out.
“Fucksocks”
“pissflaps”
“cuntymints”
try thost on for size.
bloody actually comes from the phrase “God’s blood”, meaning quite literally to swear on the blood of a God. Wanker is a cracking phrase, and whoever said cunt isn’t considered offensive over here, believe me, it is.
Personally, I’m much mroe of a fan of “suck my shit.”
bloody actually comes from the phrase “God’s blood”, meaning quite literally to swear on the blood of a God. Wanker is a cracking phrase, and whoever said cunt isn’t considered offensive over here, believe me, it is.
Personally, I’m much more of a fan of “suck my shit.”
bloody actually comes from the phrase “God’s blood”, meaning quite literally to swear on the blood of a God. Wanker is a cracking phrase, and whoever said cunt isn’t considered offensive over here, believe me, it is.
Personally, I’m much more of a fan of “suck my shit,” for example, “all of you right wing nationalist dickheads can suck my shit, you shit-dicked monkeyfucks”
bint, sod, bugger, bloody, piss, TOSSER -in replacement of wanker- twat is quite british….
i allways think that ARSEHOLE sounds a stronger/dirtier insult than asshole
I’ve always loved the term “wanker.” Short, to the point and just below the level of obscenity. A great word.
I was on the periphery of my high-school’s punk crowd in 1983 in New Jersey, who routinely referred to anyone who wasn’t with it as a “wanker”. I love the term, along with “sodding” and “filthing” as substitutes for “fucking” (in the proper context). Thanks, Britain! The whole Sex Pistols attitude was, seriously, a great cultural contribution.
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